Contemporary Sterling Silver Tufa Cast Cuff by Navajo Silversmith Fidel Bahe

Tufa cast sterling silver buckle by Navajo silversmith Fidel Bahe. The 3 1/2” x 2 1/2” contemporary buckle has a stylized male Yei head. Made for a 1 1/2” belt. Tufa casting is a technique of pouring molten silver into a tufa stone mold and letting it harden into a given form. The mold is only used once; therefore each item is an original piece. The Yei are the Navajo Holy People. About the Artist Fidel Bahe was born in 1949 at Keams Canyon, Arizona. He is the firstborn of eight children--two sisters and five brothers. He studied architecture and engineering at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff before taking up silversmithing at the age of 24. Fidel focused on traditional Navajo designs with his own creative style. In 1976, Preston Monongye...

Sterling silver necklace by Navajo silversmith Leon Martinez. The adjustable 30-35” necklace featuring fine stamp and applique work is set with high grade Royston Turquoise. Each of the twelve 7/8” x 1 1/4” hand stamped stations display a 3/8” x 1/2” Royston cabochon. The 1 3/4” x 2” bottom pendant has ten Royston cabochons surrounding a 1/2” x 3/4” Royston stone. Royston is known for its beautiful colors ranging from deep green to rich, light blues with a brown matrix. While Royston is considered an active mine; it is a very small operation. Royston is a district in Nevada consisting of three turquoise mines: Bunker Hill, Oscar Wehrend, and the main producer, high quality Royal Blue. The mine in Nevada is still producing high quality turquoise but in limited amounts. Leon’s jewelry...